College News

For the Sixth Year, Catawba Will Use "Ducks" to Raise Money for Turkeys

Again this year, Catawba College's Residence Life staff will be using plastic ducks to raise money to buy turkeys — actually, Thanksgiving turkey dinners for needy local families.

Catawba's Duck Draw Community Service Fundraiser, now in its sixth year, has raised money to feed close to 500 families, and this year, the goal is to provide at least 150 families with a Thanksgiving meal.

"Duck Draw is an ongoing project that we're especially proud of," explains Dean of Students Dan Sullivan. "The Catawba community gets excited about it and views the project as an opportunity for them to do something to help local families in need."

Since September, the Residence Life staff has been collecting $1 donations to sponsor each plastic duck that will be floated in a pool on campus shortly before noon on ;

Monday, November 16. At that time, the organizers will draw a number of ducks randomly from the pool. Each duck that is plucked from the water will have a number displayed on its bottom which corresponds to the number on a $1 ticket purchased by a member of either the college community or the community at large. These numbers also correspond to donated prizes from area merchants, ranging from haircuts to large pizzas, and gift certificates to local restaurants and businesses.

Proceeds from the Duck Draw, along with funds raised by selling peanuts, pretzels and cotton candy at Catawba home football games, selling cotton candy at the downtown Salisbury Halloween festival, and hosting two Baked Potato Luncheons, underwrite the costs of providing the Thanksgiving meals. The Residence Life staff works with several local organizations to select families with the greatest need for a Thanksgiving meal. Meals include a turkey, dressing, a turkey pan, vegetables, bread, rice, and a dessert.